Hearing set in torture case

Thursday

Feb 14, 2013 at 5:00 PMFeb 14, 2013 at 5:22 PM

By Daily Telegram staff

A Feb. 25 preliminary hearing was set Thursday in Lenawee County District Court for a third suspect in an attempted murder and torture case. Leondre Demond McCarver, 20, was arraigned Thursday on charges stemming from a Dec. 29 and 30 assault on a 53-year-old Drexel Park man. The victim is recovering from critical injuries.

McCarver asked for a court-appointed attorney, saying he is unemployed and without income. He did not comment on being held without bond. McCarver was arrested in Detroit on Tuesday by United States marshals after a warrant was authorized by the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office.

McCarver is charged with conspiracy, first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to murder and torture. The charges carry up to a life prison term.

Identical charges are pending against James Graham Cooper Jr., 47, of Manitou Beach. He is also held without bond pending arraignment Feb. 20 in circuit court. The victim’s daughter, Jessica Mae-Ann Tabernero, 23, of Adrian, is held in lieu of a $500,000 bond and is scheduled for a Feb. 27 hearing in circuit court on a charge of conspiracy to commit assault with intent to do great bodily harm.